Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Bellamy paces in front of the infirmary, waiting on Clarke’s shift to be done so they can get some dinner. It takes another twenty minutes for Clarke to come out. She looks surprised to see Bellamy.

“Hey, what are you doing here?”

“I thought we were eating together.”

“I mean, we were going to, but I thought you would have gone ahead already, or that you would have come in to check what was taking so long. I had to finish up a few vaccines.”

“Ok, that’s fine. I had no problem waiting. Are you ready to go now?”

“Yeah, but don’t you have the night shift tonight?”

“Yeah, but that just means that we’ll have to cut dinner short. It doesn’t start for another half hour, so by the time we get food, we should have ten to fifteen minutes to eat.”

“That doesn’t leave long to talk,” Clarke comments, sounding a little sad.

“Don’t worry, Princess. You can tell me about your day while I’m eating, and you can eat while I’m at work.”

Clarke nods, seemingly placated, though still not particularly happy. They grab food and sit down at one of the empty tables. Clarke starts talking about her day while Bellamy eats his food, and watches her. Almost twenty minutes later, Bellamy gets to his feet.

“I have to get to work, but I’ll see you later.”

She nods, seeming disappointed. Bellamy shakes that thought out of his head, not willing to let himself think like that. He walks to work, signing in before grabbing his gear. It’s quiet for a little while before Murphy walks over.

“Hey, boss. They want you to do the first outside perimeter walk,” he says, leaning against the non-electric part of the fence.

“Ok, and you’re here to watch my post while I do that?”

“Yep, you got it.”

“Ok, I’ll be back in twenty minutes tops.”

Murphy nods, and Bellamy starts his walk around camp. He stops by each guard post to make sure that everything is good, and there’s nothing to report. Murphy is leaning back with his eyes closed when Bellamy gets back.

“Dude, you’re supposed to be watching. Something could get past you.”

“Nah, there’s nothing to get past me,” Murphy replies, opening his eyes, and straightening up.

“Yeah, whatever. Scram, and let me finish my shift.”

Murphy rolls his eyes as he walks away.

“I should kick his ass,” Bellamy mutters, settling back down.

The rest of the night is quiet, though he does end up doing all of the rounds himself, which he doesn’t question, but does find odd. Eventually Miller comes to let him off shift.

“Hey, you can head off now. I already signed in, and have all my gear.”

“Thanks,” Bellamy says, stretching.

He checks his gun back in before heading to breakfast. Clarke waves him over, but before he can join her, Kane walks over to him.

“Hey, I need to talk to you alone for a minute.”

Bellamy nods, following him away from everyone.

“What’s going on?”

“Did you see anything odd last night?”

“No, why?”

“Well, someone reported a shadowy figure in camp while everyone else had already gone to bed, and I was told that it was your section. Did you walk away at any point? Leave your post? It’s ok if you did. I’m just trying to figure out if this has any possibility of being a real issue.”

“No, I didn’t. I’m not a child, Kane. You should punish me if I did leave my post, but I didn’t.”

“Ok, and on your rounds, did you have coverage between one a.m. and four a.m.?”

“Yeah, I had someone there the entire time. I think it was Sergeant Miller who was covering at that point. He was on call for most of the morning.”

“Ok, I’ll speak with him, but it might have no basis in the first place.”

Bellamy nods, then heads back to the eating area. Bellamy continues his day, almost forgetting about the encounter all together. He ends up helping Monty with a project for a few hours, meaning he doesn’t get to sleep until almost three that afternoon.

It’s dark by the time he gets back up. Clarke is in bed, dinner is already over, and night shift is about to start. Bellamy chats with Miller for a few minutes before Miller heads to bed. It’s only a few minutes because Miller’s been on shift for almost twelve hours straight. Bellamy starts walking around camp to wear himself out so he can get some more sleep before his shift in the morning. He makes a few laps around camp before he sees a shadowy figure near the corner of the Ark.

Bellamy cocks his head, wondering who could be out that late. Then he remembers the conversation he had with Kane that morning, and takes a step towards the figure. Before he can do anything, another figure that he didn’t see flies at him, slamming his entire body weight into Bellamy. He feels his head hit a rock before everything goes dark.

Clarke wakes up early, a weird feeling swirling in her gut. She climbs out of bed, getting ready, then heading to the infirmary. She doesn’t even make it there since one of the guards, a man that she doesn’t recognize, is actively trying to wrestle someone else to the ground. The man is screaming while the guard looks startled.

There’s blood nearby, a lot of it. However, neither of them seems to be injured, and they’re definitely not bleeding enough to cause a puddle like that. Also, once she looks closer, she can tell that the blood on the ground looks older. The guard manages to knock the man out as Clarke runs over.

“What happened?” she demands.

“I’m not sure, ma’am. I was going to sign in, and this guy jumped me. I’m going to get some rope, and ask the guard if they saw anything.”

Clarke nods numbly, wondering whose blood is on the ground. The guard comes back with rope soon.

“Ma’am, can you get Kane? The guard on shift near here was asleep, and apparently has been all night. He has no idea who the blood belongs to, and claimed that something like that would have woken him up.”

“Yeah, of course I can go get Kane.”

Clarke runs off. She brings Kane back to the spot while explaining what happened and what they know already. Kane looks angry, and a little worried by the time they get there. He heads straight to the guard station while Clarke stays back. She looks around the area, finding a few other spots of blood, and one running trail that’s a few feet away from the large spot.

“Hey, I have a blood trail!”

The guard jogs over to her.

“I’m going to follow it.”

The guard nods, slipping his gun back into his hand. He walks slightly in front as they follow the trail of blood to a currently empty section of the Ark. It’s one of the parts that gets worked in, and it’s too early for almost anyone to be awake. The blood trail stops directly in front of a door. Clarke reaches over, and presses the button to open up the door while the guard stays ready.

Someone lunches at them as soon as the door opens, and the guard fires two shots, dropping him before he can reach them. Clarke pokes her head in the room, then runs in.

“Clarke, I have to secure the room,” the guard says, following her.

She kneels down beside Bellamy, who is on the ground, still bleeding from a massive head wound. His eyes are closed, and his skin is practically white despite his normal complexion.

“Go get my mom,” Clarke says, her eyes wide.

The guard nods, running out of the room. Clarke taps Bellamy’s face.

“Bellamy, wake up. Come on, can you open your eyes for me?” she whispers, her voice and tone soft.

Bellamy doesn’t move, doesn’t respond at all.

“Come on, Bellamy.”

She looks over his head, sucking in a soft breath when she sees bone.

“Shit.”

She puts a hand under his nose and over his mouth. It takes a few seconds, but she can feel the shaky exhale against her fingers.

“Oh thank God,” she whispers, putting her head lightly against his shoulder. “You need to wake up, Bellamy.”

She still hasn’t gotten anything from Bellamy by the time her mom shows up. Clarke is holding back tears, shaking as she holds onto Bellamy’s arm.

“Get her out of here, and send Marcus back this way,” Abby says calmly.

They end up heading to Mount Weather with Bellamy, but it’s still a few hours after they get there that Clarke is able to see him. Kane and Abby are talking when she gets in there.

“Is he ok?” she whispers, not able to look at her mom.

“He’s stable.”

“Did you figure out what happened?”

“Well, somewhat. Apparently those people were people that were missing in action after the assault on Mount Weather. They were half mad off of some kind of toxin made from plants nearby. We’re still unsure of what happened between now and the last time we saw them, or how they got into camp, but we’re working on it,” Kane says, frowning deeply.

“What’s his condition?” Clarke asks, turning to Abby.

“Well, I got him patched up. We don’t know exactly what his mental state will be. We can’t even be sure that he’s going to wake up.”

Clarke sniffles, and Abby wraps her arms around her.

“We’re doing everything we can for him.”

“I know, but he was supposed to be safe in the walls.”

Chapter Text

Clarke sits down beside Bellamy’s bed, and grabs his hand tightly in both of hers.

“It’s been two weeks, Bell. You’re scaring your sister at this point. We could hear her crying from outside the fence. We really need you to wake up. Some kind of sign that you’re going to be ok.”

Bellamy doesn’t respond, and the only noise in the room is the machines that are actively breathing for him, and keeping track of his vitals. Clarke sniffles.

“The people from the raid on Mount Weather are completely detoxed, and they’re going to be fine. I thought you would like to know that. You’re more compassionate than I am. I don’t care that they were high, they deserve to be punished. Their reasons won’t fix you.”

More beeping.

“Do you remember when I asked you about shooting stars? I think I know what I’d wish for, Bellamy. Damn, that feels like so long ago, but it was almost no time at all. We haven’t even been on Earth for more than a few months. I can’t believe how many of us made it to the Ark coming down, and how many of us made it out of Mount Weather.

That was a lot less than I had hoped for, but we did our best. We did our best, and I don’t think I can do this without you. You were always better with people, and most of the hundred are still struggling to adjust. I know that you were helping a lot of them with a lot of things, but what happened to you set everyone back.

They’re scared, and rightly so. With what we know they’re willing to do to us, I’m a little scared of Jaha too. Of course I’m not scared of my mom, and once you get to know him, Kane is as intimidating as a puppy. I don’t know how to ease their fears, especially since I want to be here for you. Octavia is going to come by today. At first she refused, but she really wants to see you. I think my mom might have impressed the direness of this situation onto her, but I’m not sure.”

Clarke stands up.

“I have to go. I’m taking over for my mom at camp so she can come check on you. I’ll make sure that I come with Octavia for emotional support. I know you worry about her.”

Clarke kisses Bellamy on the top of the head, and heads out of the infirmary. She goes back to camp, and immediately tries to find her mom. She finds Abby and Octavia restocking their supplies.

“Hey, Mom, I’m back.”

Abby looks over.

“Ok, sweetie. If you want to finish this up, I’ll get ready to go. I have to talk to Marcus first, but then I’ll meet Jackson.”

Clarke nods.

“So, Jackson is still staying at Mount Weather with Bell full time?” Octavia asks, barely glancing at Clarke.

“Yeah, he is. Someone needs to be there in case anything changes, and my mom is helping Kane with chancellor stuff.”

“I thought she handed that title over to Kane.”

“She did, but she’s trying to make sure he’s not too swamped. He’s had to take over more of the guard duties that Bellamy was doing too, so that’s been rough on him.”

Octavia looks away, back at the bandages in her hands.

“Do you think he’s going to be ok?” Octavia whispers after a minute.

“I have to hope so.”

Octavia sniffles, running a hand across her face.

“But logically, do you think he’s going to wake up?”

Clarke pauses, thinking.

“Yes, I still do. He’s Bellamy, there isn’t much that can kill him.”

Octavia grabs Clarke’s hand.

“Thank you for being there for him while I can’t. I don’t know why, but I can’t seem to go.”

Clarke blinks, taken aback.

“Yeah, well, he’s been there for me plenty of times.”

“I know, but you mean a lot to him. More than I think you know, and it really means a lot that you spend all of your free time there. I know that I have to go down there no matter how much his condition hurts me. I also appreciate you offering to come with me, because even if I make myself, I don’t know how well I’m going to handle it. It’s nice to know that I have backup.”

Clarke smiles.

“Look, we do care about you, Octavia. I hope you know that. It’s not just Bellamy either. We all care about you.”

Octavia smiles back though it is more forced.

“Yeah.”

They finish inventorying in silence. Clarke spends the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon treating injuries, and sometimes telling people that they’re fine, and need to calm down. Jasper comes in near four p.m.

“Hey, Clarke.”

“Jasper, are you alright?” Clarke asks, immediately anxious to see him in the med-tent.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks, but I was just wondering how Bellamy is. I haven’t been allowed to leave my work, and no one is allowed to leave camp after six, so I haven’t been able to get up there. I’m only on break right now.”

“No changes. If you want, I can talk to Kane, and you and Monty can come with me and Octavia. We’re heading up there when my mom comes back.”

Jasper seems to contemplate it for a while before answering, “Yeah, I’d like that. I’ll ask Monty if he wants to come, and let you know. It’s also fine if Kane says that it’s not feasible.”

Clarke nods, and Jasper gives her a small smile.

“I’m going to head back to work now. Thanks again, Clarke.”

Clarke watches him leave, glad that he’s doing better, and that he’s braving Mount Weather, hoping that it’s a good idea. Her mom gets back less than an hour later, and takes over for her. Clarke goes to find Kane first. He’s talking to both Millers by the gate.

“So I want this spot to be watched better if you two can talk to your people. We don’t need to add to the guards, or move them, just make sure that they’re watching this blind spot a little better.”

Miller’s eyes catch Clarke’s and he waves. Kane turns around.

“Clarke, hey.”

“Hey, I was wondering if you could find coverage for Monty and Jasper so they can come with me and Octavia to visit Bellamy. They haven’t been able to get off before six yet, and I thought you could possibly help with that.”

“Yeah, I can do that. You can go get them now, and I’ll find someone within a reasonable amount of time. Just have them leave a list of what they’re doing now, and what their tasks for the rest of the afternoon are.”

Clarke nods, and hugs Kane.

“Thank you,” she says, her exhaustion seeping through her tone.

Kane puts a hand on her back.

“It’s no problem at all,” he says, his voice soft.

Clarke straightens up.

“Ok, I’m going to get the others, and then we’re going to head out.”

“Ok, well, I’m on gate duty, so I’ll see you guys in a few minutes,” Miller says.

Clarke nods, and heads to go find Octavia. She’s cleaning guns with Murphy.

“Hey, we’re getting ready to go. Jasper and Monty are coming too, but you can still have some alone time if you’re up for it,” Clarke says, leaning in the doorway.

“Go ahead, I’ll finish this,” Murphy says, barely glancing up.

Octavia gets up, and follows Clarke out. They grab Jasper and Monty before heading back to the gate. It’s late by the time they get to Mount Weather, and Jackson is already starting to fall asleep.

“Monty and I are going to just entertain ourselves for like half an hour to give you and Octavia some time. Then we’ll come back,” Jasper says, his eyes darting around.

Clarke nods.

“Thanks.”

Monty takes Jasper’s wrist, and leads him away. Clarke follows Octavia into the room, her eyes drifting between Bellamy and Octavia. Bellamy is pale and still against the white sheets. His hair has gotten greasy, and his veins stand out in stark contrast to the rest of his skin. Octavia’s eyes fill with tears as she slowly walks towards Bellamy. She reaches out to him, her hand lightly brushing his cheek.

“Oh, Bell.”

Clarke stays near the doorway, but she quietly tells Jackson that he can go to the dorms.

“You can sleep in there tonight. I’ll stay here with Bellamy.”

He nods, and leaves after giving Octavia one last glance. Octavia starts looking through some of the supplies without a word.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going to wash his hair for him.”

She gets the supplies together, and starts gently washing his hair, masterfully keeping all of the water on the towels that she grabbed. She hums gently to him, occasionally adding lyrics to the melody. Bellamy doesn’t respond, but Octavia doesn’t let it deter her. She continues humming and singing until his hair is completely washed, and dried.

“You’re going to get better, Bell. You hear me? You’re not allowed to do anything else. Please don’t die.” She adds the last part in a whisper, quiet enough that Clarke can barely hear her.

She keeps talking to him for a few more minutes before Jasper and Monty come in. They end up staying another hour before heading to the dorms to get some sleep since they’re leaving really early tomorrow morning. It’s too late to head back that night, but they all have to report for work at nine in the morning. Clarke sits down next to Bellamy, running a hand through his now soft curls.

“I’m glad that you got to talk to your sister, Bell. Though to be completely honest, at this point, I kind of feel more like we’re falling stars than shooting ones. Wishing isn’t going to do anything, and I don’t think you’re going to wake up.”

Clarke leans forward, and kisses Bellamy on the cheek.

“I love you, Bellamy.”

Chapter Text

Octavia walks into the infirmary, her eyes locking onto Bellamy immediately. A small smile crosses her face upon seeing his peaceful sleeping face. She steps right up to his bed, carefully taking his hand. He doesn’t feel as cold this time, and she wonders if someone turned the heating up. It’s cold out with the snow, and it’s always been chilly in Mount Weather regardless. Bellamy’s fingers twitch in Octavia’s hold, startling her.

It’s not the first time, but she’s always a little shocked by the involuntary movements of coma patients. She used to think that they were always still and quiet. Now she knows there are lots of involuntary movements that the body will sometimes make. She pulls his hand up to her face, pressing it against her cheek. Then his hand moves again, curling around hers. His eyelashes flutter, and Octavia can feel her heart beating out of her chest. Then brown eyes crack open, and meet hers.

“Bell?”

He hums, a low rumble. He’s clearly still out of it, glassy eyes trying and struggling to stay on her face. Octavia reaches for her radio, her eyes never leaving Bellamy’s.

“Get your mom in here. Bellamy just woke up,” she says, immediately letting go of the button when she’s done speaking.

She ignores Clarke’s instant questions, stroking Bellamy’s face. She pushes his hair back, and he smiles. It’s small, and his eyes are still distant, but she’s sure that he recognizes her. It’s not long before Clarke and Abby come in, and Octavia is pulled to the side. He’s not out of her sight, but it still feels wrong to be this far, even though it’s only a few feet. Abby does a few mental tests with him, telling him he’s doing a great job every time.

Clarke holds Octavia’s hand, standing back with her. They’ve bonded over this time, staying with Bellamy together, and finally talking as equals instead of squabbling. Then Abby turns back to them.

“It’s good news. He seems to have all of his cognitive function intact, and he has use of all of his muscles. He’ll need some time to recover, but all of his tests look good. I want to get an MRI for him, but everything looks good for now.”

Octavia turns to Clarke with a huge smile. They throw their arms around each other’s necks, hugging tightly. Tears drip down Octavia’s face, landing in Clarke’s hair. They stay like that for a few minutes before they both sit beside Bellamy, one on either side.

“Hey, Bell,” Octavia whispers.

Bellamy smiles, though it seems to take him a few extra seconds to process what she said. “O, how are you?” he says, his voice raw and gravelly from disuse.

“I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about me. How are you feeling?”

“Strange. Not bad, but… strange. Clarke…” he trails off, searching her face for something.

“Hi. You’re ok, Bell. You’re ok.” His eyes are beginning to droop, so Clarke rubs his shoulder. “You can get some more rest. You’ve had a hard few weeks.”

Bellamy snorts, his eyes drifting closed. Clarke stands.

“I’m going to call Jasper, and Kane.” Her eyes sparkle with tears, but for the first time in weeks, they were happy tears.

It’s a week later when Miller and Murphy are finally able to head up to see Bellamy. He’s propped against pillows, still looking tired and thin. But all of his tests came back normal, and he’s slowly regaining his strength.

“Hey,” Miller says, trying to smile. What he sees isn’t what’s in front of him, it’s blood, bandages, and a blank, pale face.

Then Bellamy smiles, and something softens in Miller’s chest. Murphy walks over, throwing himself into a chair beside him.

“What’s up, man?” Murphy acts much more casual than he feels, trying to make Bellamy feel more normal.

“Nothing much, sleeping mostly. I’m feeling better every day.”

“That’s good. You’re getting way more sleep than I am. I’m barely getting any though, so I guess I’m not a role model here.”

Miller walks closer, settling in a few feet away from Murphy, closer to the foot of the bed than the head. “Same here. I think I’ve slept a total of six hours in the last week,” he adds, dropping his hands into his lap.

Silence lulls over them for a few minutes before Bellamy says, “You guys do seem exhausted. Are you ok?”

“Fine, worried about you,” Murphy admits, though it sounds forced as if he hates the fact.

Bellamy smirks. “You worried about me? Well that’s something. I’m fine, recovering well. I’m sorry I worried everyone though.”

“Of course you are even though it wasn’t your fault. Did anyone tell you what actually happened?”

“Yeah, and I’m glad that everyone else made a full recovery too. But one thing I forgot to ask was if there any permanent damage from the plants?”

“No, they were just high. No permanent issues, no real damage at all,” Miller says while Murphy clenches his fists, and looks away.

Miller understands his anger, why should any of them care? But he also understands Bellamy, and respects his ability to realize that this wasn’t really those people’s faults. It wasn’t anyone’s fault. They sit talking, the conversation becoming lighter as they settle back into their normal routine of making fun of each other, and relaxing in each other’s presences.

Octavia sits down beside Clarke, leaning against her. Clarke glances at her, but doesn’t say anything.

“I feel like I can’t get out of fight or flight mode. I’ve been with Bell almost all week, and I still can’t settle.”

She sniffles, and Clarke wraps an arm around her shoulder. “It’ll be ok. He’ll get out of here, and we’ll be ok. Everything’s going to be fine.”

“How do you know?”

“Cause I thought we would never recover from coming down here, or from Mount Weather. I thought I would never recover from my dad dying. Now we’re here, working hard to keep moving from something completely different. We’re in a place that we never would have seen ourselves two years ago. So I know that we can move past this, even though all of it will be hard to bounce back from. Not impossible though.”

Octavia leans harder against her, closing her eyes. “Ok, if you’re sure. I believe you. Thank you for taking care of both of us,” she whispers, and Clarke leans her head against her.

“Of course, I’ll be here when you wake up.”